| History: Galveston Island State Park, in Galveston County, is in the City of Galveston on the west end of Galveston Island. It is a 2,013.1-acre site that was acquired in 1969 from private owners under the State Parks Bond Program & was opened in 1975.
History: Galveston Island is believed to be approximately 5000 years old & has had an interesting history during the past 500 years. It is generally believed Cabeza de Vaca & his crew were shipwrecked here in 1520 & eventually made their way from the island to colonies in Mexico. The LaFitte brothers, fleeing the prosecution of pirates in the United States, established a government here in 1817, with visions of creating a "Manhattan on the Gulf." Commerce did thrive here, but major storms in 1867, 1871, 1875, & 1886 greatly slowed progress. The great storm of 1900 devastated the island, killing 5000 to 10,000 people, & prompted the construction of the seawall which protects the northern half of the island.
The largest wetland restoration project ever undertaken in a Texas state park , the Galveston Wetlands Project, has been selected to receive a Coastal America Partnership Award.
Dunes Renewal Project: September 10, 1998, Tropical Storm Frances destroyed the sand dunes at Galveston Island State Park. The dunes serve as the only protection that the park has for its facilities. A project was implemented to rebuild the dunes through the use of Christmas trees.
Activities: The park offers camping, birdwatching, nature study, hiking, mountain bike riding, fishing, & unsupervised beach swimming. For summer play schedules for the Mary Moody Northern Amphitheater, please call 409/737-1744. Tours: Educational tours of the flora & fauna of the beach & bay areas of the park are given by appointment only. Contact the park to make arrangements. |
Galveston Island State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
29.195861, -94.955904
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Campground: Galveston Island State Park in Galveston Texas *